Public Speaking Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Parcells Hall 204L

Office Hours

Message me within the course, and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours. I welcome you to come meet with me in person. My office hours for this semester are listed at the end of this syllabus.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

SPCH-1315-002 Public Speaking

Prerequisites

Course Description

Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students’ speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas- Special edition for Amarillo College students-purchase at AC bookstore.

 

 

Supplies

\ You will need access to a  reliable computer so you can log in to the class several times a week.

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  • \ Adequate browser capabilities with Netscape or Internet Explorer
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  • \ Windows Media Player
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    Student Performance

    \ Application of cummunication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

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    \ Learning Outcomes: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

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    \ 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication.

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    \ 2. Apply elements of audience analysis

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    \ 3. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

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    \ 4. Research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.

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    \ 5. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

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    \ 6. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

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    \ 7. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).

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    Students Rights and Responsibilities

    Student Rights and Responsibilities

    Log in using the AC Connect Portal

    In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

    If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

    Expected Student Behavior

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    1. \ If you arrive late to class, do not enter while someone is giving a speech. Wait outside the classroom door until you are sure the speech is finished before you enter.
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    3. \ Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
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    5. \ Students will be required to dress appropriately on presentation days. For example, do not show up in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes if you are presenting a speech.
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    7. \ Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to pay attention to the presenter rather than doing other homework, or looking out the window.
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    9. \ Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
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    11. \ Do not come in and expect to give your speech and leave. I will take off participation points if you leave before class is officially over. I take roll at the beginning and ending of each meeting.   
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    Grading Criteria

    \ Grading Policies:
    \ There will be a total of 1000 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

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    \ Presentations     

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    \  Total of 400 points, or 40%

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    \ Speech of Introduction                         100 points
    \ Informative Speech w/ Visual Aid       150 points
    \ Persuasive Speech                               150 points

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    \ Written Assignments

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    \ Total of 200 points, or 20%

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    \ Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points
    \ Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each)

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    \ Examinations 

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    \ Total of 300 points, or 30%

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    \ Weekly Quizzes (12)                    200 points  (20 pts each)
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    \ Final Exam                                    100 points

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    \ Participation,
    \  Discussion postings (10)  

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    \ Total of 100 points, or 10%

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    \ Letter Grades:
    \             For Speeches, Tests, and Major Assignments          For the Final Grade
    \                         A = 90 - 100                                       A = 900 - 1000
    \                         B = 80 - 89                                         B = 800 - 899
    \                         C = 70 - 79                                         C = 700 - 799
    \                         D = 60 - 69                                         D = 600- 699
    \                         F =  0-59                                             F = 0-599

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    \ Each student will be allowed to make up one speech if and only if you contact me before the start of class by phone or email and make arrangements with me. If you do not show up for the assigned presentation time and you do not contact me before the absence you will receive a zero on the speech and reflection paper assignment. This could result in a drop of 2 letter grades for missing one speech.

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    \ You will not be allowed to make up quizzes or postings, but I will drop the two lowest quiz grades.

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    \ The resume must be turned in on time or you will receive a zero. If you cannot make it to class to turn in the resume, you will be responsible for emailing it to me on the due date by midnight in order to receive credit.

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    Attendance

    You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly to participate in discussion board postings and take weekly exams, and you will be required to attend an on campus orientation, along with three mandatory meetings on campus where you will present speeches in front of your classmates.

    If you have perfect attendance you will be exempt from the final. This means that you must have no incomplete work, and everything must be turned in on time. You will also need to have attended all class meetings to meet the exemption requirements.

    Calendar

    Date

    Week #

    Topic/Activity/Assignment

    Reading Assignment

    February 16-22

    Week One                                                       

    MEET ON CAMPUS FOR  ORIENTATION                        

    Lesson One Introduction to Course and Fellow Students

    Assignment; Post a short paragraph telling us general information about yourself. Include an interesting or unusual fact about yourself.

    Lesson 1 Quiz            Syllabus Quiz

    Chapter 1

     

                    

    Lesson Two

    Assignment; Take the PRCA. Post your fears of public speaking on the discussion board.

    Lesson Two Quiz

    Chapter 5

    February 23-March 1

    Week Two          

    Lesson Three

    Assignment; Post on the discussion board an example of bad delivery skills and how they affected the message being presented.

    Lesson Three Quiz

    Chapter 13 & 14

    Read Introductory Speech Assignment & Prepare Speech for next week

    March 2-8

    Week Three    

    MEET ON CAMPUS TO PRESENT SPEECHES              

    Speeches of Introduction

    Assignment; Reflection paper due by midnight Sunday.

    Chapter 9 & 10

    Read reflection paper assignment

    March 9-15

    Week Four                    

    Lesson Four                 Assignment; Post a possible topic for your informative speech. Give other students feedback on their topics also.

    Lesson Four Quiz

    Chapter 11

     

                       

    Lesson Five Assignment; Post any helpful information you can find about writing resumes.

    Read Resume Assignment

    March 23-29

    Week Five             

    Lesson Six Library Group Assignment; Create a group PowerPoint and fill out critique sheet                                      Lesson Seven Assignment;              Lesson 7 Quiz

    Chapter 7 & 8 Read Informative Speech Assignment & begin preparing for speech

    March 30-April 5

    Week Six               

    Lesson Eight Assignment; Post an example of personalizing the speech

    Lesson 8 Quiz

    Lesson Nine Resume is due next week

    Chapter 15

    April 6-12

    Week Seven      

    MEET ON CAMPUS TO PRESENT SPEECHES         

    Lesson Nine

    2nd class meeting on campus  Informative Speech with Power Point Presentation

    Assignment; Upload your reflection paper in the dropbox by midnight Sunday.

    Read Reflection paper Assignment

    Bring copy of cover letter, resume, references and job description to class.

    April 13-19

    Week Eight       

    Lesson Ten Assignment;                    #1 Post your persuasive speech topic.

    #2 Post one or two questions you would like to know about your audience members (audience analysis) to help prepare for your persuasive speech. Respond to several other postings.                                    Lesson 10 Quiz            Lesson 11 Quiz

    Chapter 6 Chapter 16 & 17

    Read Persuasive Speech Assignment & begin working on speech

    April 20-26

    Week Nine         

     Lesson Twelve

    Assignment; Post an experience that you had when you were persuaded to do something. Which method did the person use to persuade you?                               Lesson 12 Quiz

    Read Chapter 19

    Continue preparing speeches for next week

    April 27-May 3

    Week Ten      

    MEET ON CAMPUS TO PRESENT SPEECHES    

       

    May 4-10

    Week Eleven                       

    Lesson Thirteen          Lesson 13 Quiz

    Chapter 3

    May 10

    Week Twelve

    Lesson Fourteen

    Final Exam

     

    Additional Information

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    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM